Crop harvester

ABSTRACT

A hydraulically-operated vertical positioning mechanism for a crop harvester that is pivotally mounted on a frame for vertical swinging movement comprising a pair of rigidly-joined and axially-aligned pistons and cylinders that extend between the frame and unit, a ground feeler on the unit operates a valve for one of the pistons and cylinders and a linkage connected to the piston and cylinder and responsive to adjustment of the latter operates a control valve for the other piston and cylinder.

United States Patent Hubbard et al.

[ CROP HARVESTER [75] Inventors: Arthur Lowell Franklin Sanderson, bothof Des Moines,lowa

[73] Assignee: Deere & Company, Moline, ll].

22 Filed: June 9, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 151,424

[52] US. Cl ..56/208, 56/DlG. 15 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0ld 67/00 [58] Fieldof Search ..56/l4.2, 10.2, DIG. 15, 208,

[56] References Cited UN lTED STATES PATENTS 3,402,540 9/1968 Kurlssonct al. ..56/208 Hubbard; Leon Feb. 6, 1973 3,196,599 7/1965 Meiners etal. ..56/DlG. 15

Primary ExaminerAntonio F. Guida I Atz0rney-H. Vincent Harsha, Harold M.Knoth, William A. Murray, John M. Nolan, Raymond L. Hollister, Jimmie R.Oaks and John O. Hayes [57] ABSTRACT A hydraulically-operated verticalpositioning mechanism for a crop harvester that is pivotally mounted ona frame for vertical swinging movement comprising a pair ofrigidly-joined and axially-aligned pistons and cylinders that extendbetween the frame and unit, a ground feeler on the unit operates a valvefor one of the pistons and cylinders and a linkage connected to thepiston and cylinder and responsive to adjustment of the latter operatesa control valve for the other piston and cylinder.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEH 6 ma SHEET 1 or 5 INVENTORSA.L.HUBBARD PATENTEDFEB ems 3.714.767

SHEET 2 OF 5 FIG.'?

INVENTORS A. L. HUBBARD L. F. SANDERSON lay/Md.

ATTORNEY PATENTEDFEB s 1915 SHEET 3 OF 5 FIG.3

FIG.5

FIG.4

INVENTORS A. L. HUBBARD L. F. SANDERSON ATTORNEY CROP HARVESTERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has heretofore been known to provide acrop-treating unit that is supported on a main mobile frame and whichhas a crop inlet at its forward end. It has also heretofore been knownto provide transverse frame structure adjacent the forward end of thecrop-treating unit which supports, generally in cantilever fashion, anumber of harvester row units. Provision is provided for the row unitsto be adjusted transversely along the beam structure so as toaccommodate different spacings between the rows.

For cotton harvesters, there is normally provided a forward pair of rowunits that are rockably supported on the main frame so that they may bevertically moved in accordance with various characteristics of theground and crop. Also, on the more conventional-type cotton harvesters,ground feelers are provided on each of the row-harvesting units whichautomatically adjust the height of the row units in accordance with theground characteristics. Drive mechanism for the harvesting mechanisms inthe row units are normally selfadjusting by way of telescoping shafts sothat raising and lowering of the units does not interrupt thetransmission of power of the main power source of the unit to theindividual row units.

It has also heretofore been known to provide sensing mechanisms on rowunits that include ground-engaging feelers hydraulically attached tohydraulic lift mechanisms and which operate to raise and lower therespective row units in accordance with the rise and fall of the groundsurface.

Conventionally, particularly in corn harvesters, there has normally beenprovided row units which feed rearwardly into a transverse auger.However, in almost all instances, the row units are fixed to movevertically with the auger since the horizontal pivot for both thetransverse auger and the row units is rearwardly of the auger and thehydraulic units that are provided for lifting the unit lifts both theauger and the row units. This requires considerable power to lift theentire system of auger and conveyor system as well as the row units.Also, by providing such a conventional system, the individual row unitsare not adjusted individually, but both must rise and fall in accordancewith the dictates of the sensing mechanism of one of the units.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION With the above in mind, it is the primaryobject of the present invention to provide a crop harvester in whichthere is a main tractor or frame that carries a crop-treating mechanism.The crop-treating mechanism includes a transverse auger which serves aspart of the inlet to the treating mechanism. In the particular type ofstructure shown and described, the treating mechanism is a chamber inwhich air moves and which separates and cleans ripe cotton bolls from amixture of ripe and green bolls. Also provided on the basic structureadjacent the transverse auger is a transverse shaft mechanism, part ofwhich rotates about a transverse axis. Supported for vertical movementon the nonrotative part of the transverse shaft structure are forwardlyprojecting row units. The rotatable portion of the shaft structure isdrivingly connected to the harvesting mechanism of each of the rowunits. Consequently, as the individual row units rock about the pivot ofthe shaft structure, the drive mechanism is not affected since it isconnected by rotary means or gears that are fixed to the shaftstructure.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide height-sensingand adjusting mechanism for each of the row units. The basic means ofraising and lowering the row units are hydraulic cylinders extendingbetween the frame and the row units. Feeler or ground-engaging shoes aresupported on each of the row units. The individual row units are alsosupported on the transverse pivots by hydraulic cylinders which mayextend or retract to raise and lower the units on the pivots. The shoesare interconnected to the cylinders by control means. The shoes adjustthe control means in accordance with the ground characteristics so as toautomatically extend and retract the cylinders. The control means thatare controlled by the ground shoes will move the respective units withina range of vertical movement. However, upon moving the units beyond apredetermined range, a second control means operates the hydrauliccylinders to raise and lower the row units to and from transportpositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front and side perspectiveview of the entire harvesting unit.

FIG. 2 is a side view, with portions broken away, showing theconnections and supporting structure between the tractor and theforwardly positioned row units. For purposes of showing the linkages tothe operators station, the cab is removed from the station.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from the side and slightly overheadwhich shows the mounting and driving structure for the row units.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the drive mechanism between the main powersource and the row units.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

- FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the height-sensing mechanism whichoperates to raise and lower the respective harvesting units.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the upper portions of the height-sensinglinkage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, theharvester includes a basic tractor or frame 10 having front tractionwheels to permit passage of a large material-conveying duct 20 thatdischarges into the basket 15. The lower end of the duct 20 contains amaterial-treating unit, which in the particular instance operates toseparate ripe from green bolls and heavier trash that is harvested withthe ripe and green bolls. While this type of crop-treating system isshown, it should be recognized that other types of crop-treating systemsor mechanisms could be used such as, for example, a driven type of bollcleaner and trash separator. Extending between the front traction wheels11, 12 is a main U-shaped frame structure that includes a horizontalsection 21 positioned just to the rear of the lower end of the duct 20,and a pair of depending sections, one of which is shown partially at 22having their lower ends connected to the respective wheels 11, 12. Theframe structure also includes upper and lower forwardly projectingbrackets 23, 24 on which is carried, at opposite sides of the tractor,forwardly projecting framework on which the harvesting units areconnected. Extending forwardly from the respective brackets 23, 24 oneach of the vertical frame members 22 are side frame structures composedof an upper inclined beam 25 and a lower horizontal beam 26, both ofwhich have their rear ends pinned to the brackets 23, 24. The upper beam25 projects forwardly and is welded to a main transverse beam 27 thatexbeing one 36 at each end and an elongated central one 37. The shaftsor tubes 36, 37 are transversely axially aligned and are transverselyspaced apart.

Leftand right-hand harvesting units 40, 41 are provided forwardly of theoperator's station and of the beam 27. Each unit 40, 41 has rearwardlyprojecting vertical side walls 42, 43 that are reinforced at theirrearwardmost portion. The rearwardmost portion has openings therein toreceive the respective tubes or shaft portions 36, 37. This can thus beseen in FIG. 3. Each of the units 40, 41 have rear upright walls 46 onwhich is fixed gear casings 47. The casings support and journal atransverse elongated main drive shaft 48 concentrically with the tubes36, 37 and have internal bevel gears 49 fixed to exposed portions of theshaft between the tubes. The left casing has a main bevel drive gear .50and a bevel-driven gear 51 fixed to a short stub shaft 52 extendingforwardly of the casing 47. The right casing 47 has a similarbevel-driven gear 51 and a driven shaft 52 projecting forwardly of thecasing. Reviewing FIG. 4, power to drive the bevel gear 50 is receivedfrom the main power source or engine 14 through a fan drive, indicatedin its entirety by the reference numeral 53 that drives fore-and-aftextending shafts 54, SS that are interconnected by a U-joint 56. Asecond U-joint 57 is just rearwardly of the casing 47 and connects tothe main bevel drive gear 50. The engine 14 also drives a tractortransmission 60 having a manual control 61 associated therewith. Thus,by reviewing FIG. 4, it becomes apparent that the entire harvestingmechanism is driven independently of the speed of the tractor andwithout regard to the speed of the tractor.

Mounted on the respective shaft portions 36, 37 and adjacent therespective wall extensions 42, 43 are U- shaped clamps 63 that havebolts 64 extending through opposite legs of the straps 63. By providingstraps 63 and their bolts 64 alongside the respective plates 42,

43, the harvesting units 40, 41 may be locked in various transversepositions along the shaft portions 36, 37. Since the transmissions 47may be moved along the shafts 48, which are concentric with the shaftportions 36, 37, the entire units 40, 41 may be shifted transverselywithout interrupting or changing the basic drive mechanism.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and S, the shaft 52 penetrates through the wall46 and has fixed thereto a spur gear 66 which drives a brush gear 67that is enmeshed with its opposite brush gear 68. The brush gears meshwith idler gears 69, 70 respectively, which in turn drive the leftandright-hand auger gears 71, 72. Also, fixed to the left-hand end of themain drive shaft 48 is a pulley 73 which drives through a belt 74 andauger pulley 75 that is mounted on the auger drive shaft of transverseauger 78 seated in an auger trough 76.

Means for rocking the harvesting units 40, 41 about the transverse axisof the tubes or shaft portions 36, 37 are provided by means ofextensible and retractable hydraulic power units 80L, 80R, each having alarge cylindrical end 81 and a small cylindrical end 82, the two endsbeing separated by a wall 83. Contained in each of the rear largecylinders is a piston 84 that has its rod projecting rearwardlytherefrom and pivotally connected at 85 to the plates 28. The forward orsmall cylinder 82 has a piston 86 with a rod extending forwardly'andpivotally connected to the respective row unit 40 or 41 at 87 on theunderside and beneath the transverse auger tube 76. The auger housing 76is fixed with the transverse beam 27 by means of transverselyspacedbracket structure 77. As may be seen from viewing the various figures,the transverse auger structure 78 in the auger housing 76 is a forwardextension of the crop-treating unit 20 and, in fact, serves as atransverse upwardly opening inlet for the crop-treating unit. The augerstructure 78 itself is composed of apair of transverse augers behind theunits 40, 41 that receives cotton from the units and feeds it inwardlyto a central beater or paddle structure that drives it rearwardly intothe crop-treating unit 20.

Pivoted to move vertically from the forward end of units 40, 41 areshoes or ground feelers 90L for the unit .40 and 90R for the unit 41.Each shoe has a rod 91 with a turnbuckle adjustment therein that extendsfrom the respective shoe 90L, 90R upwardly to a variable restrictorvalve, 92L for the left unit 40 and 92R for the right unit 41. The exactdetails of the restrictor valves 92L, 92R are not of particularimportance relative to the presentinvention other than to recognize thatthey are low-capacity valves. If such details are needed, such may behad by reference to a copending applicatio Ser. No. 83,769 filed on 26October, 1970.

Reviewing FIG. 6 with reference to the schematic diagram of thehydraulic system, fluid moves from the variable restrictor valves 92L,92R to the large cylinder portion 81 of the leftand right hand hydrauliccylinder devices 80L, 80R. In operation, the valves 92L, 92R operate to'extend and retract cylinders 81 in accordance with the rise and fallrespectively of the ground level beneath the respective shoes 90L, 90R.The shoes ride against the ground and upon engagement with high spots onthe ground operate the respective valves 92L, 92R to extend thecylinders 81 on their respective rods. This causes the units 40, 41 toraise individually in accordance with the ground level. After the shoeshave passed over the high spot, they will drop with respect to the units40, 41 to again adjust the valves 92L, 92R and to thereby cause theunits 40, 41 to lower. Thus, the position of the shoes 90L, 90R withrespect to the units 40, 41 affects the extension and retraction of thecylinders 81 on their pistons and piston rods.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is provided a main control valve 95 having avalve housing 96 and a spool valve 97 extending through the housing.Connected to the for ward end of the spool valve 97 is a bellcrank 98with a vertically extending control lever 99. The bellcrank 98 has oneleg connected to the spool valve 97 by means of a pin 100 that may movevertically in the leg of the bellcrank. The bellcrank 98 has a forwardlyprojecting arm or leg with a spring 101 connected thereto that extendsdownwardly to the row unit 41. The spring 101 operates to bias the valve97 in a rearward direction.

Fixed to the diagonal brace 30 is a pivot pin 102 on which is mounted abellcrank 103'having a lower bifurcated end 104 which fits on oppositesides of the enlarged rear cylinder 81. Projecting from the cylinder 81are lugs 105 that bear against an edge of the bifurcated portion 104.The upper leg portion of the bellcrank 103 is connected to anadjustablelink 106, the latter having an upper end connected to an arm107 fixed to a transverse cross shaft 108. The shaft '108 extendscompletely across the mechanism. A like linkage to the bellcrank 103,the link 106 and arm 107 is provided for the right unit 41 andconsequently either unit may operate to rock the shaft 108. The shaft108 carries a second singular arm 109 on which is connected the lowerend of a vertical link or strap 110 that projects upwardly to an upperend adjacent to but rearwardly of the main valve 96. The upper end ofthe link 110 has a recessed section 113 and a rearwardly projectingportion 114 that projects from the rear edge. An intermediate edgeportion 115 extends between a projecting portion 114 and the recess 113and acts with the recess 113 and portion 114 to provide a cam surfacefor purposes to be explained. Fixed to framework at the upper of thelink 110 is a rod 116 that bears against the cam surface previouslyexplained. The rod 116 is fixed to a bracket that extends rearwardly. Aspring 117 extends between the rear end of the bracket 116 and amldportion of the link 110 and biases the cam surfaces against the rod116. An arm 118 engages the rear end of the spool valve 97 and ispivotally carried on the support frame to swing fore and aft. Anadjustable link 119 extends from therlink 110 to the lower end of thearm 118 and consequently as the link 110 moves fore and aft, the arm 118will readjust the main valve 95. Thus, as the lugs 105 on; the rearcylinders 84 move fore and aft, there will be a direct bearing on themain valve 95.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 with the schematic view of the hydrauliccircuit means for the cotton harvester. A fluid level is maintained in areservoir 120. Fluid moves from the reservoir through a large-capacitypump 121 and a low-capacity pump 122. Specifically, the large pump 121has a capacity of about ten gallons per minute whereas the small pump122 has a capacity of 4 gallons per minute. Fluid from the lowcapacitypump 122 moves through a flow divider 123 and fluid is metered out fromthe divider 123 to a power steering hydraulic system, not shown, and toa second flow divider valve 124 which divides the movement of fluidequally between the primary leftand right-hand rear cylinders 81 of theleftand right-hand cylinder devices L and 80R. Fluid is also meteredthrough the primary variable orifice valves 92L, 92R. The ground feelersL and 90R regulate the respective variable orifice valves 92L, 92R.

Fluid from the high-capacity pump 121 moves to the main valve which maybe shiftable to permit the fluid to return to reservoir or toretract thecylinders 82 for purposes of raising the respective harvesting units40,41.

The system operates as follows. Assuming the operator is entering afield and the units 40, 41 are in their transport position, which occurswhen the hydraulic cylinders 82 are fully extended, the operator movesthe control lever 99 to lower the harvesting units. The units loweruntil the sensing shoes 90L, 90R contact the ground which restricts theoil flowing through the restrictor valves 92L, 92R. The pressurebuild-up due to the restrictor valves causes the fluid to move into thecylinders 84 which actuates the control linkage 102- 116. This causesthe cam surfaces 1 13, 114, 1 15 to shift until the surface movesagainst the bar 116 and the valve 97 is thereby shifted to neutral. Therod 116 will be retained in the neutral zone 115 in a more or lessloss-motion position until the shoes 90L, 90R are raised or loweredsufficiently to actuate thelinkage and shift 7 the cam surfaces 113 or114 into engagement with the rod 116. This will automatically create amovement of the valve spool 97 to a position in which the main valve 95moves or raises or lowers the respective unit 40, 41 depending upon themessage received from the shoes.

The operation of the hydraulic system is completely automatic. Theoperator merely moves the lever 99 to the raised or lowered position andthe units adjust until the sensing shoes 90L, 90R require that the unitsstop. Thus, should a small obstruction be passed over, one or both ofthe shoes 90L, 90R will operate its respective valve 92L, 92R to raisethe respective units 40, 41 until the shoes 90L, 90R pass over theobstructions and the valves 92L, 92R are adjusted. Therefore, for smallobstructions or small depressions in the ground'level, the units 40, 41are adjusted by extending the rear cylinders 94 on their respectivepiston rods. Should the cylinders 94 be extended or retracted beyondwhat is considered the normal operating range which is when the rod 116bears against the cam portion 115, the linkage extending from thecylinders 94 to the main valve 95 will adjust the spindle 97 and theentire harvesting unit 40 or 41 is raised to its transport position orlowered to its lowermost position.

Where it is desired to move the unit to a raised or transport position,the lever 94 is moved to the transport position. Since the spring 101 isconnected to the unit 41, raising of the latter will remove tension inthe spring. Also, raising of the unit 41 causes the ground feelers todrop and retract the cylinders 84 on their respective pistonrodspTherefore, since there is no tension in the spring 101, thespring-loaded spool 97 will be shifted to its neutral position therebypermitting the operator to release the lever 94 when the units 40, 41reach their transport positions.

We claim:

l. A positioning mechanism for a fore-and-aft elongated crop harvesterin which the harvester has its rear portion pivotally mounted on amobile support, said positioning mechanism comprising: a hydraulicpiston and cylinder assembly extending between the frame and harvesterand composed of a pair of rigidly joined and axially aligned first andsecond cylinders and pistons shiftable within the cylinders and havingpiston rods extending out of the cylinders to ends connected to theframe and harvester respectively, said first cylinder and its piston andsaid second cylinder and its piston being in low and high capacityrespectively; a first valve connected to and for shifting the firstcylinder on its respective piston; a main valve connected to and forshifting the piston with respect to the' second cylinder; a groundsurface feeler supported on the harvester forvertical movement and forshifting vertically with respect to the harvester in accordance with therise and fall of the surface level; a connection between the 'feeler andfirst valve for adjusting the latter to thereby extend and retract thefirst cylinder on its piston in accordance with the rise and fall of theground surface; a linkage connection between the piston and cylinderassembly and said main valve for adjusting the main valve and responsiveto shifting of the first cylinder on its respective piston to shift themain valve.

2. The structure as set forth in claim I in which the operativelyconnected to the protrusion.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 1, in which the first and secondcylinders are end-to-end and rigidly joined and said first cylinder isconsiderably larger in diameter than said second cylinder.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by amanually-controlled override means for said first valve.

6. A positioning mechanism for a fore-and-aft elongated crop harvesterin which the harvester has its rear portion pivotally mounted on amobile support, said positioning mechanism comprising: a hydraulicpiston and cylinder assembly extending between the frame and harvesterand composed of a pair of low and high capacity rigidly joined andaxially aligned first and second cylinders and pistons shiftable withinthe cylinders and having piston rods extending out of the cylinders toends connected to the frame and harvester respectively; first valvemeans connected to and for shifting the first cylinder on its respectivepiston; a

main valve connected to and for shifting the piston with respect to thesecond cylinder; a ground surface feeler supported on the harvester forvertical movement and connected to the first valve for adjusting thelatter to thereby extend and retract the first cylinder on its piston inaccordance with the rise and fall of the ground surface; aconnection'between the piston and cylinder assembly and said main valvefor adjusting the main valve and responsive to shifting of the firstcylinder on its respective piston beyond a given range to shift the mainvalve.

7. The invention defined in claim 6 in which said

1. A positioning mechanism for a fore-and-aft elongated crop harvesterin which the harvester has its rear portion pivotally mounted on amobile support, said positioning mechanism comprising: a hydraulicpiston and cylinder assembly extending between the frame and harvesterand composed of a pair of rigidly joined and axially aligned first andsecond cylinders and pistons shiftable within the cylinders and havingpiston rods extending out of the cylinders to ends connected to theframe and harvester respectively, said first cylinder and its piston andsaid second cylinder and its piston being in low and high capacityrespectively; a first valve connected to and for shifting the firstcylinder on its respective piston; a main valve connected to and forshifting the piston with respect to the second cylinder; a groundsurface feeler supported on the harvester for vertical movement and forshifting vertically with respect to the harvester in accordance with therise and fall of the surface level; a connection between the feeler andfirst valve for adjusting the latter to thereby extend and retract thefirst cylinder on its piston in accordance with the rise and fall of theground surface; a linkage connection between the piston and cylinderassembly and said main valve for adjusting the main valve and responsiveto shifting of the first cylinder on its respective piston to shift themain valve.
 1. A positioning mechanism for a fore-and-aft elongated cropharvester in which the harvester has its rear portion pivotally mountedon a mobile support, said positioning mechanism comprising: a hydraulicpiston and cylinder assembly extending between the frame and harvesterand composed of a pair of rigidly joined and axially aligned first andsecond cylinders and pistons shiftable within the cylinders and havingpiston rods extending out of the cylinders to ends connected to theframe and harvester respectively, said first cylinder and its piston andsaid second cylinder and its piston being in low and high capacityrespectively; a first valve connected to and for shifting the firstcylinder on its respective piston; a main valve connected to and forshifting the piston with respect to the second cylinder; a groundsurface feeler supported on the harvester for vertical movement and forshifting vertically with respect to the harvester in accordance with therise and fall of the surface level; a connection between the feeler andfirst valve for adjusting the latter to thereby extend and retract thefirst cylinder on its piston in accordance with the rise and fall of theground surface; a linkage connection between the piston and cylinderassembly and said main valve for adjusting the main valve and responsiveto shifting of the first cylinder on its respective piston to shift themain valve.
 2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 in which thelinkage has lost motion therein to permit limited movement of the firstcylinder on its piston without adjusting the main valve.
 3. Thestructure as set forth in claim 1 in which the cylinder assembly hassurface protrusions on at least one of its cylinders and the linkageextends to and is operatively connected to the protrusion.
 4. Thestructure as set forth in claim 1 in which the first and secondcylinders are end-to-end and rigidly joined and said first cylinder isconsiderably larger in diameter than said second cylinder.
 5. Thestructure as set forth in claim 1 further characterized by amanually-controlled override means for said first valve.
 6. Apositioning mechanism for a fore-and-aft elongated crop harvester inwhich the harvester has its rear portion pivotally mounted on a mobilesupport, said positioning mechanism comprising: a hydraulic piston andcylinder assembly extending between the frame and harvester and composedof a pair of low and high capacity rigidly joined and axially alignedfirst and second cylinders and pistons shiftable within the cylindersand having piston rods extending out of the cylinders To ends connectedto the frame and harvester respectively; first valve means connected toand for shifting the first cylinder on its respective piston; a mainvalve connected to and for shifting the piston with respect to thesecond cylinder; a ground surface feeler supported on the harvester forvertical movement and connected to the first valve for adjusting thelatter to thereby extend and retract the first cylinder on its piston inaccordance with the rise and fall of the ground surface; a connectionbetween the piston and cylinder assembly and said main valve foradjusting the main valve and responsive to shifting of the firstcylinder on its respective piston beyond a given range to shift the mainvalve.